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Pinelands Commission approves three development applications including NJ Turnpike shop and bridge replacement
Summary
The commission approved a bundled resolution for three development applications: Turnpike Authority maintenance yard changes, a DOT bridge replacement widening a single‑lane timber bridge to a concrete two‑span structure, and sanitary pump station improvements in Eastern Township; staff said environmental impacts were minimal or addressed.
The Pinelands Commission voted on July 10 to approve a bundled resolution covering three development applications, following staff presentations and a brief question period.
Ernie presented the applications. For the New Jersey Turnpike Authority site in Barnegate Township, the proposal calls for demolition of a roughly 1,600‑square‑foot shop building (about 50 years old) and construction of a new 2,700‑square‑foot sign shop and an 8,000‑square‑foot storage building; one existing 6,000‑square‑foot storage building (less than 50 years old) will be removed and thus did not require the commission’s application process. Ernie said there were no notable environmental concerns for the sign shop replacement and that required photographic documentation of the older structure had been provided.
On the DOT proposal, Ernie described replacement of the timber, single‑lane Godfrey (Washington) bridge over the Waning River in Washington Township. The new concrete bridge would match the existing 175‑foot length but be widened to about 16.8 feet to provide shoulders for pedestrians; the bridge will reduce the number of in‑water spans compared with the existing timber structure.
The third application covered Eastern Township’s planned improvements to an existing public sanitary pump station; staff noted wetlands are approximately 230 feet from the facility and the work will not move the pump station closer to the wetlands.
No members of the public offered comments on these items. The commission moved and seconded the resolution to approve the three applications; commissioners voted in favor and the motion passed.
Staff said permitting documentation and standard mitigation measures will be part of final approvals and noted the commission had required photographic records where structures are noted as historically eligible for documentation.
